■Purpose of creating J-TECH STARTUP
Services that use the Internet, such as SNSs, EC sites, and games bring us a lot of convenience and new value. The applications that enable these services can be developed in a relatively short period of time, and successful examples and support methods are starting to be established in Japan. On the other hand, the deep tech (core technology) that supports these services, such as high-speed communication, AI engines, and CPU/GPU technology is inconspicuous, difficult to understand, and requires a lot of time and human resources to commercialize. That is why it is risky to turn into a business and there is a lack of adequate support systems for investmen.
However, applications cannot exist without deep tech, which is their core technology. Applications and deep tech are inseparable, and true value and convenience can only be brought to society through the development of both. That is why in recent years, Silicon Valley has started actively investing in deep tech, such as AI, IoT, biotechnology, and outer space technology instead of focusing investment on companies that provide service-type technology.
Japan leads the world in cutting-edge technologies such as regenerative medicine using iPS cells, advanced materials such as nanomaterials, and bipedal robots, and the world's global companies are highly interested in Japan
The J-TECH STARTUP SUMMIT focuses not only on hardware such as semiconductors, but deep tech in the broad sense, including drones, the embedded software essential for Industry 4.0, cloud-based image recognition/analysis engines, AI technology such as deep learning, sensing technology to support IoT, biotechnology such as nucleic acids and biofuels, renewable energy generation and storage technologies, regenerative medicine and clinical technologies, advanced materials and technologies for their mass production, and mechatronics technologies. The summit focuses on the importance of these technologies and discusses what is required to establish a support system for deep tech venture companies.

■Sponsors
General Incorporated Association TX Entrepreneur Partners (TEP) (https://tepweb.jp/)
TX Entrepreneur Partners (TEP) is a technology venture company support organization for the purpose of commercializing and popularizing top Japanese technologies. Its members are comprised mostly of real tech venture companies with core technology that are seeking commercialization, as well as angel investors with rich experience in business foundation and management, mentors that can give expert advice, and major companies that wish to cooperate with venture companies. The TEP network has expanded to include universities, research institutes, regional governments, and similar venture communities overseas, making it one of the few technology venture company ecosystems in the world.

Nikkei Technology Online (http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/)
Nikkei Technology Online is a general technical information site for engineers/researchers/product planners in the manufacturing/high-tech industry run by Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. It publishes technical information from various perspectives in articles written by technology reporters, outside experts, and journalists, and aims to create new industries and businesses by conveying the impact that new technologies will have on other industries.

Open Innovation Community (http://techon.jp/real/)
A community that promotes new businesses and cross-industry cooperation. As a new business development project in the open innovation style, it prepares multiple development themes that companies in a wide range of industries can participate in and provides an opportunity for implementing development for a chosen theme. Also involved in education for implementing the development of new businesses and linking different industries.

■Supporters
Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry; Kanto Regional Head Office, Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan; New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO); National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST); Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan (IPA)